Programs & Services

Campus Diversity Programs, Initiatives and Services

The issue of diversity has taken on a greater and more prominent role at Fairfield University and in higher education across America. Diversity in all its human forms and varieties, along with the Jesuit mission and identity, is a basic tenet which undergirds all three prongs of Fairfield University's Strategic Plan.

As part of its commitment to the student experience, Fairfield University offers the following programs, initiatives and services:

The Academic Immersion Program is designed to assist students with the transition to college, with a particular emphasis on the academic adjustments a student must continually make between high school and his or her first two years in college. The Academic Immersion program has two components. The first is a four-week summer program during which selected students complete two core courses - one visual and performing arts (AH 13) and a natural science (BI 76), earning six credits during the summer.

The second aspect of the program focuses on student success and retention. Students that participate in the summer component of Academic Immersion continue to be involved with the two sponsoring offices through a variety of academic and social programming. During the school year, Academic Immersion is open to any student that is either referred to the program or expresses a personal interest in joining. Through one-on-one meetings with program staff and workshops, students are able to continually develop their knowledge and skills base during their first two years of college.

For more information please contact Yolehema Felican in the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Programs.

The Ally Network serves as a campus-wide resource to students who are in need of support. Upon completion of the training workshop, allies receive a Safe Space placard distinguishing them as part of the network. This placard is a symbol that the person will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer student needs help, advice, or just someone with whom they can talk.

The person displaying the symbol is also a person who can give anyone accurate information about sexual orientation issues.

The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies was founded in 1994 with an initial endowment from Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich. CT. Its goal is to enrich the intellectual, cultural and spiritual life of the University through lectures, programs and other special events; enhancement of the University library’s Judaic collection; monthly Shabbat services and dinners (co-sponsored with Campus Ministry), and ongoing support of the College of Arts and Sciences’ undergraduate interdisciplinary program in Judaic Studies. Bennett Center events are open to the University and to the public.

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Grounded in Fairfield University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission to share its intellectual resources for the betterment of the community and to educate students to be socially and morally responsible, the Center for Social Impact connects community and campus to create high impact academic opportunities that address local, national and global challenges and develop individuals committed to create a more just and equitable world.

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Community partners play a vital role in supporting student learning through participation in service and civic engagement. Fairfield University strives to continually strengthen our relationships with community organizations and to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. Community partners benefit from the skills, compassion and commitment of our students, faculty and staff who, in turn, benefit from the experience and expertise of the community.

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The purpose of the Cura Personalis Mentoring Program is designed to provide incoming first-year students from underrepresented populations an opportunity to become acclimated and succeed at the University. Students receive mentoring and learn about personal and academic resources via two mentors: a faculty/staff mentor and a peer mentor.

Students who participate in early intervention programs are found to have a greater knowledge of university resources. This helps to increase their satisfaction with the university, expand their academic and personal networks, and to increase retention rates. Mentoring enhances confidence, encouragement, psychosocial support, and provides an opportunity for diverse perspectives and experiences.

Benefit Mentoring Offers

The Cura Personalis Mentoring Program is designed to provide first-year students an opportunity to become acclimated to life at college and build a foundation for success during their years at Fairfield University. These students are paired with a faculty/staff mentor and a peer mentor.

Through regular one-on-one and group meetings, students receive valuable information and useful knowledge regarding the many available campus resources.

Some of these resources include:

Career Center, Campus Ministry, Student Engagement, and Residence Life. Several topics including time management, wellness, spirituality, leadership, character and personal growth, and development are covered during the year.

Raise expectations and future goals – Having a mentor means you have personal access to someone with greater knowledge and experience to turn to. A mentor will help you explore a vision for your future and uncover your purpose. With support students may grow to their maximum potential and reach goals that would initially have seemed out of reach.

Develop greater confidence – Mentoring builds confidence. As a entree, you’ll develop your self-confidence. You’ll know your own value and be able to articulate it in order to serve as an advocate both for yourself and ultimately for others.

Learn skills to overcome obstacles and challenges – As a entree, your mentor will help you develop grit. Grit is the passion and perseverance to pursue long term goals, especially in the face of obstacles and challenges. You’ll learn valuable skills to succeed in the struggle to overcome adversity and be stronger for it!

Be a part of a vibrant, supportive community – As a entree, you’ll be a part of a community of emerging leaders who know the value of support and collaboration. You’ll be inspired and encouraged by students, faculty, and staff who’ve been right where you are and have succeeded.

Expand your skills - You'll learn skills that will make you a better manager and leader while improving your judgment and decision-making abilities. As a Peer Mentor, you'll encounter different situations that call for compassion, resourcefulness, and good listening skills.

Meet new people - It's not just new students building friendships, you'll meet other mentors through various events, workshops, and activities.

Improve your career profile - People who are seen as mentors are granted higher credibility and are seen as higher performers.

You'll make a difference - Real growth and development doesn't just come from information, it's from relationships. Positive relationships have the ability and power to unleash untapped potential. When you can share with your entree that "this is possible, and this is possible for YOU," you can open up entirely new paths in their life.

Community Service Programs

Campus Ministry oversees several community service programs, such as After-School Programs, Fairfield Volunteer Corps, Animal Welfare, Daycare, Mentoring, Hunger Cleanup, Soup Kitchens Food Pantries, and Special Needs. To volunteer, please contact Katie Byrnes (kbyrnes@fairfield.edu), Campus Minister for Social Justice and Community Engagement.
Office of Accessibility

Fairfield University is committed to providing qualified students who have disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs, and activities in an accessible setting. Furthermore, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Connecticut state laws, we provide accommodations to reduce the impact of their disabilities on academic functioning or upon other major life activities. These legal requirements are in keeping with our Jesuit mission and policy of non-discrimination. The Office of Accessibility is responsible for evaluating and coordinating appropriate auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities in an effort to ensure their full participation in all University activities, programs, and services. DSS interacts with students with disabilities in the determination and facilitation of individualized accessibility plans each semester. We also serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff.
International Programs

Located on the second floor of Dolan House, the Office of International Programs administers Fairfield University's study abroad programs, international student and scholar services, and international student recruitment. We engage the Fairfield community with the world by bringing international students into our classrooms or offering academic programs abroad.
Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN)

The Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) was launched in 2008 through a joint collaboration between Georgetown, Fordham, and Fairfield Universities. The idea of JUHAN is that, in addressing the needs of those that are suffering, our academic institutions can be more effective when working together rather than independently. The founders had come to the realization that there is relatively little going on in U.S. higher education to prepare undergraduates for humanitarian action, whether that be career development or preparation to fulfill everyday civic responsibilities.
Lucy Katz Dialogue & Resolution Program

As part of The Lucy Katz Dialogue & Resolution Program, we train 28 students, faculty, and staff each year as a social justice mediators. As we continue to work towards creating a socially just community at Fairfield University and beyond, we invite students, faculty, or staff to consider receiving a certification in Social Justice Mediation. The hope is to continue growing a population of individuals at all levels of the University who, as trained mediators, can cultivate social justice awareness, resolve disputes and attend to social justice concerns (bias incidents, education, conflicts, etc.).
Muslim, Protestant and Jewish Chaplains

In an effort to attend to the spiritual needs of our non-Catholic students, Campus Ministry provides a host of services and collaborates with those beyond the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. Campus Ministry co-sponsors monthly Shabbat services and dinners. A Muslim chaplain-intern is available to provide support to our Muslim students, a Protestant chaplain is available to meet the needs of our Protestant students, and a Jewish chaplain is also available to meet the needs of our Jewish students. The Orthodox Christian Fellowship maintains a vibrant presence on campus. Campus Ministry also makes every effort to enable non-Catholic students to connect with local faith communities from their tradition by providing transportation to and from local churches, synagogues, and mosques. Campus Ministry invites all students to come learn, grow, laugh, and pray as they explore their relationship with themselves, God, and their community.
Multicultural Visit Program

We welcome admitted students from traditionally underrepresented populations and students with a strong interest in diversity to spend a night on campus, meet current students, faculty and staff and become a stag for day.
Community Engaged Learning

Community engaged learning is an experiential approach to teaching and learning that links academic study and community service so that each is strengthened and both are transformed. Critical reflection is an essential component as is the development of partnerships with the community that are based in mutuality and reciprocity. Fairfield University is committed to solidarity and collaboration with people who are marginalized. In addition to being mindful of "best practices" that have been developed in the academic service-learning movement nationally, our work flows from the Jesuit Catholic educational mission of Fairfield University that calls for the dynamic integration of academic excellence, social responsibility, and faith that promotes justice.
Service for Justice Residential Colleges

When we are at our best, we deeply appreciate the gifts of others and seek to serve those in need. The Service for Justice Residential College (S4J) located on the "Quad" in 70 McCormick Hall (2 person residential hall), is a community based on exploring questions of service, diversity and social justice. Through conversations, reflection and action of students, faculty, and mentors with one another, the hope of this community is to appreciate an historical context of and passion for social justice, understand diversity and all its manifestations, communicate with others about and across differences, and take action and become change agents. In this way, all are able to construct and discern their own living and learning experience. This community welcomes students of all interests, backgrounds, and perspectives. Three overarching questions guide our community: Who am I? Whose am I? How am I called to serve justice?
Veteran Support

The University strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for enrolled armed service veterans. The Office of Student Diversity Programs is able to direct student veterans to available resources on campus and assist veterans in connecting with the broader University community. For additional information, please contact Will Johnson.